At least seven people were on Sunday injured in a stampede at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's Janata Durbar programme at his ancestral village of Saifai

According to eyewitnesses, when the chief minister was exchanging pleasantries with the people, crowd surged towards him causing a stampede like situation. (AP)

At least seven people were on Sunday injured in a stampede at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s Janata Durbar programme at his ancestral village of Saifai. A crowd had gathered outside a guest house where the chief minister was holding the programme, Additional SP Ram Kishan Yadav has said. He further said that the main gate was closed to keep the crowd away, but when it was opened to let Akhilesh Yadav’s car get in, people rushed in causing the stampede.

According to eyewitnesses, when the chief minister was exchanging pleasantries with the people, crowd surged towards him causing a stampede-like situation and added that injured were taken to a nearby hospital, a news agency PTI has said. All the injured people were rushed to a hospital in Saifai, they said. Police had to face tough time while trying to manage the crowd, as a number of people at the event turned up more than expected.

The chief minister also listened to the woes of the people and asked his officials to take actions. He had driven down to his village to celebrate Diwali with his extended family. Earler this month, at least 19 people were killed due to a stampede in Varanasi, out of which 15 were women.

Akhilesh Yadav had announce a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of those who died in the incident. He also announced RS 50,000 each for devotees who were critically injured.